God’s Word Translation
1 Kings 2:2
2“I’m about to leave this world. Be strong and mature.
1 Kings 2:2 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man;
- New International Version (NIV)“I am about to go the way of all the earth,” he said. “So be strong, act like a man,
- English Standard Version (ESV)"I am about to go the way of all the earth. Be strong, and show yourself a man,
- New King James Version (NKJV)“I go the way of all the earth; be strong, therefore, and prove yourself a man.
Context of 1 Kings 2:2
1When David was about to die, he instructed his son Solomon, “I’m about to leave this world. Be strong and mature. 3Fulfill your duty to the Lord your God. Obey his directions, laws, commands, rules, and written instructions as they are recorded in Moses’ Teachings. Then you’ll succeed in everything you do wherever you may go. 4⌞You’ll succeed⌟ because the Lord will keep the promise he made to me: ‘If your descendants are faithful to me with all their hearts and lives, you will never fail to have an heir on the throne of Israel.’
Read all of 1 Kings 21 Kings 2:2 word by word
אָנֹכִ֣י הֹלֵ֔ךְ בְּדֶ֖רֶךְ כָּל־הָאָ֑רֶץ וְחָזַקְתָּ֖ וְהָיִ֥יתָֽ לְאִֽישׁ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for 1 Kings 2:2
- Joshua 23:14“Pay attention, because I will soon die like everyone else. You know with all your heart and soul that not one single promise which the Lord your God has given you has ever failed to come true. Every single word has come true.
- Job 16:22because in a few short years I will take the path of no return.
- Job 30:23I know you will lead me to death, to the dwelling place appointed for all living beings.
- Psalms 89:48Can a mortal go on living and never see death? Who can set himself free from the power of the grave? Selah
- Hebrews 9:27People die once, and after that they are judged.
- Deuteronomy 17:19He must keep it with him and read it his entire life. He will learn to fear the Lord his God and faithfully obey everything found in these teachings and laws.
- Deuteronomy 31:6Be strong and courageous. Don’t tremble! Don’t be afraid of them! The Lord your God is the one who is going with you. He won’t abandon you or leave you.”
- Joshua 1:6Be strong and courageous, because you will help these people take possession of the land I swore to give their ancestors.
- 1 Chronicles 28:20David also told his son Solomon, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or terrified. The Lord God, my God, will be with you. He will not abandon you before all the work on the Lord’s temple is finished.
- Ephesians 6:10Finally, receive your power from the Lord and from his mighty strength.
- 2 Timothy 2:1My child, find your source of strength in the kindness of Christ Jesus.
- 1 Kings 3:7“Lord my God, although I’m young and inexperienced, you’ve made me king in place of my father David.
- 2 Samuel 10:12Be strong! Let’s prove ourselves strong for our people and for the cities of our God, and the Lord will do what he considers right.”
- Ecclesiastes 12:13After having heard it all, this is the conclusion: Fear God, and keep his commands, because this applies to everyone.
- 1 Corinthians 16:13Be alert. Be firm in the Christian faith. Be courageous and strong.
- 1 Timothy 4:12Don’t let anyone look down on you for being young. Instead, make your speech, behavior, love, faith, and purity an example for other believers.
Commentaries on 1 Kings 2:2
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 2I go the way of all the earth - I am dying. All the inhabitants of the earth must come to the dust. In life, some follow one occupation, some another; but all must, sooner or later, come to the grave. Death is no respecter of persons; he visits the palace of the king as well as the cottage of the peasant. Pallida mors aequo pulsat pede pauperum tabernas, Regumque turres. - Hor. Odar. lib. i., od. iv., ver. 13. "With equal pace, impartial fate Knocks at…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 2David appears to have in his thoughts the divine address to Joshua. Without following it servilely, he reproduces several of its leading expressions and sentiments (compare the margin reference). Solomon‘s youth clearly constituted one of the chief difficulties of his position. If he was about nineteen or twenty, and known to be of a pacific disposition 1 Chronicles 22:9, then to have to rule over the warlike and turbulent Hebrew nation, with a strong…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 2So be strong and prove yourself a man: God and Moses gave this same advice to Joshua during the conquest (Deuteronomy 31:6–7; Joshua 1:6–7, 9). Joshua and Hezekiah encouraged the Israelite forces when facing enemies (Joshua 1:16–18; 10:24–28; 2 Chronicles 32:7). David understood the importance of courage from God (Psalms 27:13–14; 31:23–24). When Paul urged Christians to be brave and strong (1 Corinthians 16:13), he used the same words found in the Greek…Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 22. I go the way of all the earth--a beautiful and impressive periphrasis for death. be thou strong, ... show thyself a man--This counsel is similar to the apostolic direction (1Co 16:13) and refers to the fortitude or strength of mind that was required to discharge the onerous functions of king.Read the comment
Topics related to 1 Kings 2:2
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 1 Kings 2
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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